Chapter 528 - 259: Head-on Clash with the Killing Dao

Chapter 528: Chapter 259: Head-on Clash with the Killing Dao

"You lot enjoy the Sect’s protection, but instead of thinking about how to serve it well, all you know is how to fight amongst yourselves for power and profit. You’re weak and useless against outsiders. Are you actually planning to defect to other Sects?"

In that instant, everyone’s faces went pale with shock!

Patriarch Jiang Botao of the Jiang Family, Patriarch Qin Qiyuan of the Qin Family, Patriarch Wang Tingxuan of the Wang Family, and Patriarch Shen Mingyuan of the Shen Family—every one of them was white as a sheet, trembling as if treading on thin ice.

It’s said that a new official lights three fires to establish their authority. As the acting Lord Chief Director of the Linji City Inspection Department, dispatched by the Great Dao Sect, Xiao Nianci had yet to even step foot in Linji City, but her first fire was already raging.

Her constant targeting of Chen Cheng wasn’t just out of personal enmity; she was likely planning to clean house at the Demon Suppression Department as well!

If even the Demon Suppression Department, a Government Office directly under the Great Dao Sect, couldn’t escape a shake-up, then the City Lord’s Mansion, the Protectorate Army, and all the other Government Offices would likely face the same fate.

And just as Xiao Nianci had said, the Four Great Clans of the Inner City had indeed been fighting for power, using the influence they wielded to pursue personal gain and expand their clans’ power.

If Xiao Nianci decided to get serious, none of the Four Great Clans of the Inner City would escape unscathed. They would all suffer a major blow.

The charge Xiao Nianci mentioned—defecting to other Sects—was particularly terrifying. If proven true, it would lead to the catastrophic punishment of having one’s entire clan exterminated and assets seized.

Everyone was afraid of provoking Xiao Nianci, so they all fell silent. Even Xia Lingfeng chose to say nothing.

He knew full well that the situation in Linji City was complex, and only someone as domineering as Xiao Nianci had a chance of bringing it under control.

’Xiao Nianci might be tyrannical, domineering, and ruthless, but she was more than capable of handling the position of acting Director of the Linji City Inspection Department.’

’From her perspective, she would be eager to establish her authority, so the opponents she picked would undoubtedly be the best of the Border Guard.’

’It’s too dangerous for Chen Cheng to fight them. Better to avoid a direct confrontation for now.’

’With Chen Cheng’s Martial Arts Talent, he could still mature even without the position of Vice Director of the Demon Suppression Department and the Martial Arts Resources that came with it.’

At this thought, Xia Lingfeng looked over at Chen Cheng, preparing to tell him to withdraw from the match.

But he saw that Chen Cheng’s expression remained placid and composed. The young man was as calm as still water, showing no sign of wanting to retreat.

’Good kid, you’ve got guts!’

Xia Lingfeng praised him inwardly, then dismissed the idea of trying to talk Chen Cheng out of the competition.

’A Martial Artist’s spirit is paramount to cultivating the Martial Dao. If you shrink back from facing a Martial Artist of the same Realm, what’s the point of cultivating at all?’

"Chen Cheng, have you made up your mind? Do you wish to concede?"

Xiao Nianci asked languidly, her eyes also on Chen Cheng.

"Let’s just have the match."

Chen Cheng replied, his expression calm.

"Good! To dare to face adversity and compete against the Border Guard... Not bad at all! You’re becoming more and more like a disciple of Zheng Hun!"

Xiao Nianci said with a note of praise, her tone then turning serious.

"However, whether or not you live will depend on your own skill!"

With that, Xiao Nianci gestured to the Golden Patterned Brocade Guards.

Four Golden Patterned Brocade Guards stepped out from the formation, bowed to Xiao Nianci, and declared in unison,

"Your subordinates greet you, ma’am!"

"Mm, at ease." Xiao Nianci waved her hand, then turned to Chen Cheng. "These four men are all Perfect Martial Artists of the Bone Forger Realm, and each has cultivated a Killing Realm.

"You only need to defeat one of them to win this contest. If you do, you will keep your post as Vice Director of the Demon Suppression Department and will also serve as a Chief of the Imperial Guard for the Inspection Department."

These four Golden Patterned Brocade Guards were in their mid-thirties and wore shining silver Armor.

Two were tall and powerfully built, holding dark Long Spears. One was lean and lanky, a Longsword hanging from his waist.

The last had a sallow complexion and a shorter-than-average build, but he carried a massive, heavy Xuanhua Giant Axe.

As Chen Cheng sized them up, the four men turned their gazes on him in unison. Their eyes were calm and detached, yet intensely focused.

They projected no fierce aura or intense killing intent, but their scrutiny was so penetrating it was suffocating.

Chen Cheng’s eyes narrowed involuntarily.

’These four are truly battle-hardened Border Guards. Their habit of never underestimating an opponent, of studying them before a fight, already puts them far above ordinary Martial Artists.’

’I have no doubt their combat prowess surpasses even that of a Chief of the Imperial Guard in the Marrow Cleansing Realm!’

Then, Xiao Nianci added, "The four of you—whichever of you defeats Chen Cheng will take his position.

"I know you all specialize in fighting to the death, so there’s no need to hold back."

Upon hearing this, the four men’s calm gazes suddenly sharpened. Battle lust flared in their eyes, like tigers that had just spotted their prey.

"Li Zhanman! Bone Forging Realm Perfection, First Layer Killing Realm. This spear was forged from Celestial Meteorite Iron and Black Gold. It is a Divine Weapon, second only to a Spirit Soldier, and it can pierce Treasure Armor!

"With this spear, I have slain three Barbarians at the Great Success stage of the Marrow Cleansing Realm, and three Tier Four Demon Beasts!"

"Zhou Shaman! Bone Forging Realm Perfection, First Layer Killing Realm. My spear is the same as Li Zhanman’s, but I’m stronger—I’ve killed one more Barbarian at the Great Success stage of the Marrow Cleansing Realm than he has!"

The lean, lanky Golden Patterned Brocade Guard spoke. "Gong Zhan! Bone Forging Realm Perfection, First Layer Killing Dao Sword Intent. My Longsword is also a Divine Weapon. I’m stronger than Li Zhanman and Zhou Shaman—they wouldn’t dare fight me!"

The sallow-faced, short Golden Patterned Brocade Guard heaved his Xuanhua Giant Axe onto his shoulder and said bluntly, "Yang Poman. I’ve killed two Barbarians at Marrow Cleansing Realm Perfection!

"You probably don’t have the guts to fight me. If you did, you wouldn’t live to regret it!

"Forget you—in my eyes, those four Chiefs of the Imperial Guard are all garbage! They’re no match for me either!"